Impact of Immigration Controls on Overseas Students: Lords Committee to quiz university chiefs

28 February 2014

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will quiz senior staff from several UK universities next week for its investigation into the effect immigration reforms may be having on student numbers.

On Tuesday 4 March the Committee will, over two sessions, ask a range of questions to vice-chancellors, senior academic staff and also a student union representative.

The inquiry is looking specifically at the numbers of international students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), and how prospective students may have been influenced by immigration rules.

At 10.40am evidence will be heard from:

Mr Daniel Stevens, International Students’ Officer, National Union of Students;

Mr Ian Bradley, Head of Academic Services, Engineering & Physical Sciences, the University of Manchester; and

Mr Philip Lockett, Pro-Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Science and the Built Environment, London South Bank University.

And approximately at 11.40am from:

Professor Robert Allison, Vice Chancellor and President Loughborough University;

Professor Colin Riordan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cardiff, Chair of Universities UK’s International Policy Network and Chair of the UK Higher Education International Unit.

The areas of questioning will cover how the numbers of international students applying and enrolling for STEM courses has changed in recent years; whether this can be explained by changes in immigration policies or by other factors; how universities assist foreign students in applying; and whether proposals in the new Immigration Bill might impact on foreign student numbers.

The evidence sessions will be held on Tuesday 4 March startingat 10.40am in Committee Room4 of the House of Lords.

T

he session will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament’s Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.